Autism: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is autism?
Autism is a severe and complex developmental disability. It occurs due to
neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain. The typical
symptoms of autism may be seen by the time the child is 24 to 30 months.
Autism is more commonly found in boys.
2. What are the features of autism?
Children with autism generally show the following features
• Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
• Prefers to be alone
• Tantrums
• Inability to communicate needs appropriately
• Spinning, rocking and other self-stimulatory behavior
• Aggression which can include biting, hair pulling, grabbing, hitting,
kicking, etc.
• Self abusive behaviors which can include head banging, eye-poking,
scratching oneself, slapping
• Lack of safety skills and the perception of danger
• Over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
• Little or no eye contact
3. How is autism diagnosed?
Though there are no medical tests to diagnose autism, there are some
prescribed criteria that are used internationally to identify autism. These
criteria consist of certain behaviors that are typically seen in children with
autism. Presence or absence of these behaviors in additon to family history
may help in diagnosing autism.
4. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Over the years as the definition of autism broadened the new terminology of
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has became increasingly popular. ASD
can include individuals who meet the criteria for autism as well as the
following diagnoses and classifications




Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified: refers to
a very mild form of autism.
Rett’s Syndrome: refers to a genetic disorder affecting only girls that
behaviorally resembles characteristics of autism.
Asperger Syndrome: refers to individuals with the characteristics of
autism but with relatively intact language skills. These individuals are
usually of normal or above normal intelligence.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: refers to individuals whose
development appears normal for the first several years of life, but
regresses with the loss of speech and the increased display of
characteristics of autism.
5. What causes autism?
There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it
is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show
differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism
and nondisabled children. Scientists believe that genetics, problems during
pregnancy and delivery, and environmental factors such as viral infections,
metabolic imbalances and exposure to toxic chemicals may cause autism.
6. What is the difference between autism and mental retardation?
Most people with mental retardation show a relatively even rate of skill
development even if it is at a lower rate than the normal range. While
individuals with autism typically show uneven skill development with
deficits in certain areas especially in their ability to communicate and related
to others. They may have special skill in other areas.
7. What is the treatment for autism?
Autism is a condition, not a disease. While there is no treatment that can
cure autism, children with autism improve significantly with appropriate
intervention that consists of speech and language therapy, sensory
integration therapy and behavior modification. Parents or caregivers should
follow up the intervention program at home for best result.
8. How will speech and langauge therapy help a child with autism?
Children with autism have significantly difficulties in understanding and
using langauge for communication. A speech and language therapist helps a
child to develop communication skills through use pictures, symbols, sign
language, communication boards etc.
9. How will sensory integration therapy help a child with autism?
Children with autism have problems in integrating the information they
receive from their sense organs. They may be hypersensitive or
hyposensitive to certain noise, touch, smell, taste etc. An occupational
therapist uses equipment and techniques that help a child integrate and unify
the inputs derived from sense organs. This reduces the child’s
hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity and enables him/her to adjust well to the
environment.
10. My child repeats when we speak to him. What can be done about it?
Many children with autism, who have speech, repeat what others speak to
them. This is known as echolalia – the tendency to echo whatever is heard.
Instead of answering a question, the child merely echoes or repeats the
question. This is generally due to the basic deficit in understanding oral
spoken language which all children with autism face. However, echolalia
should be considered as manifestation of the child’s intent to communicate.
Besides, an echolalic child has a good speech ability that can be further
developed. One should consult a speech and language therapist for suitable
intervention program to reduce echolalia.
11. As a parent how can I help my autistic child?
If your child is showing symptoms of autism, it is essential that you see a
developmental pediatrician and other professionals to get a differential
diagnosis. Start the recommended early intervention programs as soon as
possible. Ensure that the child attends a school. Observe how the
intervention is given and follow up the program at home. Remember that
your child with autism is a child first, and should receive acceptance, love
and respect due to all children.
12. What is the most effective educational approach for children with
autism?
Today most experts believe an "early and intensive behavior intervention
program" using a combination of teaching procedures is necessary to have
children reach their full potential. A full assessment of the child's strengths
and deficits should direct the child's program.
13. What is Diet Therapy?
Some professionals believe that the root cause of the problems faced by
children with autism may be their allergy to casein and/or gluten. Casein is
an element in milk, whereas gluten is commonly found in wheat. Hence, if
intake of casein and gluten is controlled children may improve significantly.
However, this may not be true for those children who do not have this
allergic condition. The curative claims of Diet therapy as a suitable
intervention for all children with autism have not been substantiated by
research.
14. What is Auditory Integration Therapy?
Auditory Integration Therapy is based on the rationale that children with
autism have hyper or hyposensitive to sounds. Proponents of this therapy
believe that problem can be reduced by making a child listen to specially
digitalized music through headphones. The music is digitalized to eliminate
or emphasize the frequencies at which the sound is either hypo or
hyperacute. Over a period of sessions the the listening experience is
expected to be altered and result in a more normal audiogram. Researchers
have not found Auditory Integration Therapy as an effective technque to
address deficits in autistic children.
15. What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a method to
support existing speech or developing independent use of non-speech
symbol system such as sign language, visual symbols (pictures and words)
displayed on a communication board. AAC is often used autism intervention
because many children with autism are nonverbal and have difficulties in
comprehending spoken language.
16. What are the chances of autism in the next child born to us? Can we
have a normal child?
About 10% of the cases of autism can be accounted for genetically. If there
is one child with autism in the family, risks of having another child with
autism is much higher than in the general population. So far, there is no
reliable test to detect autism in the fetus.
17. Why does he keep playing with his fingers/rocking himself back and
forth/spinning around etc.?
Children with autism respond to sensations in ways, which are different
from that of others. Due to their inability to integrate sensory information
they manifest unusual mannerisms like flapping and rocking etc. These
mannerisms are the children’s natural responses or methods of coping with
sensory difficulties. These behaviors sometimes help them to relax.
18. Can autism occur along with any other disabling condition?
Yes it is possible. A large number of children with autism have mental
retardation. Additionally, many children with visual impairment, cerebral
palsy and attention defict disorders also show autistic features.
19. Can children with autism be educated in general schools?
Autism is a spectrum disorder. This means that autistic features may vary in
intensity among the children. Children who are diagnosed as having
Asperger’s Syndrome have the intelligence to cope with the demands of
general school curriculum. Most of them are in general schools and can be
sustained there with minor modifications in the classroom activities. Other
children within the spectrum should also be integrated as far as possible.
20. Is the child’s own home a better option for him/her, or is a hostel
better?
It is now increasingly accepted that during the early years of development, it
is important for an autistic child to live and grow in a home environment. As
the child grows up, he/she can be trained to live in a group home but it is
very important for the autistic people living in such homes also to integrate
with society in general and not just be abandoned in a home
21. Can the child ever live an independent life?
Autism is a spectrum disorder. Currently there is no reliable and objective
measure of how severe the autism is in an individual child. Children with
autism do have potential for building up their skills and they can be helped if
they receive early, well-focused intervention. Depending on the child’s
individual skill profile and the appropriateness and intensity of intervention
they receive, children with autism can lead relatively independent lives.
22. Can they get married and have regular children?
The essence of marriage is companionship. It is a union between two
consenting adults and it involves adjustment and carrying on day-to-day
responsibilities of life. It also involves an ability to plan for the future etc.
Before deciding to marry an autistic person, the following things need to be
considered:
 The level of functioning of the person.
 That the partner understands the needs of, and that he or she knows
everything about, the autistic spouse (if one of them is not autistic).
 Financial status (employment, family support etc.)
However, since marriage is an issue of social commitment and
companionship, by the very nature of the condition many able people with
autism choose not to marry.
23. Who should we contact to get help for our child?
Autism services are now available in all major cities in India. You can
contact the following
Action For Autism
Pocket 7 & 8
Jasola Vihar
New Delhi-110025
Tel: 91-11-55347422
Tel: 91-11-30964730
Email: actionforautism@gmail.com
url: http://www.autism-india.org
Assam Autism Foundation
5 Dinesh Ojha Path, Rajgarh
Guwahati 781 005
Assam
Tel: 00911-9864027292/14608
Email: autismassam@sify.com
Autism Society West Bengal
22 Anjuman Ara Begum Row
Kolkata 700 033
Tel: 033 24730706
Tel: 033 24170860
Email: autismsocietywb@gmail.com
Forum For Autism
2nd floor, Block A, Jeshtaram Baug
Dr.Ambedkar Rd, Dadar,
Mumbai 400 014
Email: forumforautism@hotmail.com
India Autism Forum
S-123, Kirloskar Colony,
III Stage IV Block, Basveswarnagar,
Bangalore 560 079
Tel: 080 3225279
Tel: 080 3230357
Email: Info@ashaforautism.com
Web: http://www.ashaforautism.com
Movement for Autism
House No 216
Ramachandrapuram
Jalahalli Post
Bangalore 560013
Tel: 080-28391050
Email: swapnatn@vsnl.com
Sambhav
B-4/24, Chitrakoot
Ajmer Road
Jaipur
Tel: 09214350987
SOPAN
A-4 Silver Arch, Ramnagar
Borivali (W)
Mumbai 400 092
Tel: 022-28064443
Tel: 022-65043998
Email: sopantrust@rediffmail.com
www.sopan.org
Ummeed Child Development Center
Ground Floor, Mantri Pride
1-B, 1/62, N.M. Joshi Marg
Subhash Nagar
Near Chinchpokli Station
Lower Parel
Mumbai 400011
tel: 65528310, 65564054, 23002006, 23001144
Email: ummeed@vsnl.net
We Can Trust
Resource Centre:
4/ 370, South First Main Road,
Kapaleeswarar Nagar,
Neelangarai,
Chennai 600 041
Ph: 55461010
No 4/2 Parsn Riviera
4th Main Road Extn
Kotturpuram, Chennai - 600085
Tel: 044 24464655
Tel: 044 24473136
Tel: 044 4464077
Email: wecantrust@rediffmail.com
ASHA
S-123 Kirloskar Colony
3rd Stage 4th Block
Basveswarnagar
Bangalore- 560 079
tel: 080-23225279
e-mail : info@ashaforautism.com
Ashiana
Nityanand Municipal School
Sahar Road, Andheri East
Mumbai
tel: 022-26845062, 26125742
Autism Centre
Autism Centre
c/o Prasanna Hospital
Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
tel: 91-020-25652246
url: http://www.prasannaautism.org
e-mail: info@prasannaautism.org
Communication DEALL
47 Hutchins Road II Cross
Sarvajna Nagara (Cooke's Town)
Bangalore 560 084
Tel: 91 080 2580 0826
url: http://www.communicationdeall.org
e-mail: info@communicationdeall.org
Dakshinya Special Education Centre & School for Autism
A 32/250, Old Siddharth Nagar
Road no. 10, Behind Aadarsha Vidyalaya
Goregaon (W)
Mumbai-400062
Tel : 9819023790
Disha Charitable Trust
319-320, Race Course Towers, Gotri Road,
Vadodara-390 007
Gujarat
tel: 91-265-2325250
fax: 91-265-2300059
Email: dishatrust@iqara.net
url: http://www.disha.org/
Dikshan
22 Anjuman Ara Begum Row
Kolkata 700033
Tel: 033 - 24730706, 24170860
Email: indrani_basu55@yahoo.co.in
DEC
C/o Spastics Society of Karnataka
31, 5th Cross, Off 5th Main
Indira Nagar
1st Stage
Bangalore 560038
Diuli Daycare Centre cum Preschool
841/1, Alto Porvorim,
Goa 403 521
tel: 0832 - 2414916
Jyot Special School
Kutarkar Residency, Near multipurpose school,
Borda, Margao, Goa
tel: 0832 2765097
Open Door
Sector 5 Jasola Vihar
Behind Sai Niketan
New Delhi 110025
INDIA
tel: 91-11-65347422, 40540991/2
fax: 91-11-40540993
e-mail: autism@vsnl.com
url: http://www.autism-india.org/afa_opendoor.htm
Pradip Centre for Autism
Dr. Mallika Banerjee
Flat No: 4, Lakeview Cooperative Housing Society
P-203/B, Block B
Kolkatta - 700089
Tel : 033-25341832/25748503 (office) 25340891 (d)
e-mail: mallib@hotmail.com
Priyanj Special School
239/1905 Motilal Nagar no 1,
Achyut Behre Marg,
Near Ganesh Mandir, Road no 4,
Goregaon (west),
Mumbai -400104.
tel: 022-28753880/ 9821098325
e-mail: priyanj_school@yahoo.co.in
SAI
173, Ramkrishna, 2nd floor
10th Road, Khar West
Mumbai 400 052
tel: 022-26007267
e-mail: kamini108@rediffmail.com
SAI-Apoorva Center for Autism
c/o Lions Club of Sarakki
21st mn, 1st Cross, JP Nagar Phase 2
Bangalore, Karnataka 560078
Tel: 080-65710445, 09243195154
e-mail: apoorva.autism@gmail.com
url: http://www.saiautismcenter.org
SAIRAM Autism
C/o Jai Vakeel School
Sewri Hills, Sewri Road
Mumbai 400 033
tel: 022-24701129, 24702285
Samarpan Centre for Autism Spectrum Disorders
M.G. Road Municipal School
Opp. Parle Vidya Tilak Mandir
3rd floor, Above Marathi Medium School
Near Kesrekar Garden
Vile Parle (East)
Mumbai 400 057
tel : 022 - 65043998
Sankalp Learning Centre
Q-9, New No. 41, 6th. Avenue.
Chennai 600040
Tamil N.
tel: 044 42113947
email: sulata.sankalp@airtelbroadband.in
School of Hope
CPWD Complex
Near Chinmay School
Vasant Vihar
New Delhi 110 057
tel: 26143853, 26151572
e-mail:tamana@mantramail.com
Smt. Radhabai Jamnadas Thakkar Autistic Centre
Shree Manav Seva Sangh
255-257, Sion Road, Sion (West)
Mumbai-400022
Tel : 24092266, 24077350, 24015561, 24077327
e- mail: smss@bom8.vsnl.com
Website: www.shreemanavseva.org
Sunshine Centre For Autism
280, 6th Cross
Domlur Layout
Bangalore-71
tel : 08065360892
e-mail : sunshineautism@vsnl.net
We Can Trust
No 4/2 Parsn Riviera
4th Main Road Extn
Kotturpuram, Chennai - 600085
Tel: 044 24464655, 24473136
e-mail: wecantrust@rediffmail.com